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This is THE Worlds Largest Forum devoted to the Norfolk Broads, here you can discuss issues about the Norfolk Broads. Or just somewhere to chat with others interested in the Norfolk Broads area. In 2015 forum members spent 2,048 days afloat on the Broads

Today and yesterday, we were at LBBY for the last big step in our Brilliant project; this was replacing the lifting cabin roof canvas. The difference between the old yellow plastic and the new ivory canvas is a super result. Thanks Terry for the usual skill in fitting our fabric. We wanted to ensure that over enthusiastic raising of the top using the halyard system we have would not over strain the canvas at the cockpit end, as clearly happened with the old roof, so I fitted a fine brass chain on each side to set the limit of travel-hope that works. The roll down flap at the cabin doors will have a second, inner layer of black mosquito netting as on tents, so that we can discourage interlopers...winged ones.

I am remaking the jib boom next week, then it's just a question of non-stop maintenance jobs !!

Hi Pauline and Phil, I noticed your comment about re-making the jib boom and would love to know more about it, materials and construction ? Dragonsong is currently set up with a self-tacking jib on an aluminium boom which, while it does the job, I don't particularly like and wouldn't mind having a go at replacing it in wood. Any info and/or photos would be great.

I made a bamboo one first, it was too light and bulky so I rang Hunters for advice. They laminate two wooden strips for strength so that is my plan. I salvaged the bullseye fair lead from the Mark 1 today, have ordered the West Epoxy and plan to get two 44mm x20.5mm x 3m planed redwood lengths from Wickes on Saturday. The boom will end up as 44mm x 41mm x 2.3m all being well, screwed and laminated, then epoxy sheathed ( if I had zillions of clamps I would omit the screws but I don't ) . Then I plan to give it the 'obligatory' 6 coats of varnish. The key issue is to get the balance point for the fair lead right, so we will have to play with string before going for a proper fixing. There are lots of more skilled folk on here, so this post will hopefully attract informed opinion, for which I will be grateful.

Pauline, you don't need zillions of clamps. Start at one end of your laminate with one clamp, having clamped wind several layers of masking take around the laminate. Remove clamp and move along the timber by about a foot and repeat. Screws can and do weaken the structure.